Spring coiling machine



Sept. 15, 1936.

J. GOGAN SPRING COILING MACHINE Filed Juhe 19, 1954 s sheeps-sherl Sept.15, 1936. J. GOGAN SPRING COILING MACHINE Filed June 19, 1934 t 3Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 15, 1936. J. GOGAN SPRING COILING MACHINE FiledJune 19, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 E: 5: E5 2:: 5, wmfl fo 4, 7 7 7 DPatented Sept. 15, 1 936 SPRING COILING MACHINE Joseph Gogan, Lakewood,Ohio Application June 19, 1934, Serial No. 731,319

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to coiling machines, and more particularlyto an improved spring coiling machine of the character described andillustrated in my copending application Serial No. 712,599, filedFebruary 23, 1934, wherein a wire or rod is coiled about a rotatablemandrel to produce a relatively heavy helical spring. The invention isparticularly'applicable to and is described with reference to themanufacture of relatively heavy helical springs such as those employedin individual wheel suspension of automobiles.

An object of the present invention is the provision of a novel coilirrgmachine particularly adapted for high production purposes, which will berugged in construction, reliable in operation, and which will quicklyproduce accurately coiled springs with a minimum amount of attention andskill on the part of the operator.

In accordance with the provision of the present invention, wire or rodstock is fed to the machine or guided along a rotating mandrel inpredetermined timed relation to the speed of rotation of the mandrel,and a further object of the invention is the provision of a novelfeeding or guiding mechanism for a machine of the character referred towhich will positively and accurately feed relatively heavy stock to therotating mandrel in such a manner that the convolutions of the finishedspring will be accurately spaced, etc.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent tothose skilled in the art to which it pertains, and a more completeunderstanding thereof may be had from the following description of thepreferred embodiments of the invention described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a front perspective of a spring coiling machine embodying thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the wire or stock feeding mechanismillustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 55 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a wiring diagram of the electric control for the feed carriagemotor.

The present invention is an improvement on the machine described andillustrated in my copending application, Serial No. 712,599, filedFebruary 23, 1934, referred to above, and similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views of thedrawings of both applications. e

The present invention has particular application to the manufacture ofrelatively heavy coil springs, such those used in the front suspensionof some automobiles, and the preferred embodiment thereof is illustratedas a machine for manufacturing such springs in quantity production.vention is the provision of a machine which will manufacture springs, ofthe type referred to, quickly and accurately as it is essential to havea high production of uniform springs the convolu tions of which areproperly spaced.

The machine is of the type wherein the spring are formed by coiling orwrapping bar or rod ma terial about a rotary mandrel in a spiral manner.

Referring to the drawings, the form of the -machine designated ingeneral by the reference character A comprises a bed I0 supported onlegs. I I, I2 and E3 and an overhead member M supported on the bed I0 bybrackets I5 and I6. The work, designated in general by the referencecharacter W, is in the form of a predetermined length of preferably hotrod or wire stock, both ends of which are tapered, so that the endconvolutions of the finished spring will present flat surfaces.- Inoperation the rod is placed in the machine by an operator from the frontby projecting one end of the stock through a stock feed carriage;designated in general by the reference character N, until it rests uponamandrel ZI underneath a clamp bar 22 of a chuck, designated ingeneral bythe reference character C. With the work in this position, the chuck Cis actuated to clamp the end of the work W between the clamp bar 22 andthe mandrel 2 I. a

The chuck C is carried bya shaft 26 which comprises part of the machinespindle, designated in general by the reference character B, whichspindle includes the mandrel 2|. After the Work is clamped into positionthe spindle is rotated by mechanism, hereinafter referred to, to coilthe stock about the mandrel. During the coilingoperation the free partof the work is prevented from rotating with the spindle and fedlongitudia nally thereof by the stock feed carriage-N, which willhereinafter be more fully described.- As the free end of the work leavesthe feed carriage it is squared and pressed down against the mandrel 2|in a manner hereinafter referred to, after which the mandrel isWithdrawn and the com pleted spring allowed to drop through the bed ofthe machine.

The spindle shaft 26 is rotatably supported in brackets. 38 and 39,bolted or otherwise secured to the bed ID, andis driven from an electricmotor 21' through a gear reduction, designated in general bythereference character 28, and the.

As previously stated, an object of the in- STATS sari ss gg spur gears29 and 30, the latter of which is operatively connected to the spindleshaft 26'by a friction or slip clutch of conventional construction toprevent injury to the motor in the event the machine becomes jammed,etc. A hand wheel 4| fixed to the spindle shaft 26 permits the same tobe turned over manually in setting up the machine, etc. The clamp bar 22is pivotally support- ;ed in the body member 42 of the chuck C, and

carries a lever pivotally connected to the rear end thereof providedwith a roller adapted to roll on a surface formed on the body member 42.The lower or free end of the lever referred to is cy-E lindrical andfits into a rectangular opening'in an enlarged endof a rod slidablysupported ina centrally located longitudinal aperture in the spindleshaft 25. Longitudinal reciprocation of the rod moves the roller overthe surface on the body member 42, thus causing the clamping bar 22 toengage or disengage the work depending uponthe direction ofreciprocation. The rod referred to is reciprocated through the medium ofa bar 55 projecting through an aperture therein and elongated slots inthe spindle shaft. The. bar 55 is connected to lugs formed integral withan annular member' 58 rotatably supported on the spindle shaft26,'andthe annular member 58 is reciprocated longitudinally of the spindleshaft by "a second annular member 59 held in assembled relationshiptherewith. The member 58 is adapted to rotate within the member 60 andantifriction thrust bearings are interposed therebetween. a 1

Pro'jectionson' opposite sides of the member fiflcarry rollers whichengage in slots formed in the upper ends of levers 68 secured to ahorizontal shaft 10 rotatably supported in bosses on the bed I'll. .Alever 12 secured to the shaft 10 midway between the levers 68 isoperatively connected to the piston rod 14 of a fluid'pressure operatedmotor, designated in general by the reference char acter the piston ofwhich is continuously urged toward the left, as viewed in Fig.1, by acompresfsion sprin'g'enclosed within the cylinder. 'The' piston'is movedin'the opposite direction to actuate'the clutch C to clamp theworkbetween the clutch bar 22 and mandrel 2I by'fluid pressure,preferably air, admitted to the cylinder at the leftof the piston bymeans of a pipe 81 communicating with the cylinder and a fluidoperatedvalve 86, provided with a pedal 88bymeans of which the supplyand discharge of air to the motor are controlled; The valve 86 is ofconventional construction and the fluid pressure supply line isdesignated by the numeral 89. i V

The mandrel 2| is secured to a member rotatabl y supported byanti-friction bearings in a bracketSI slidably supported on ways92formed on the overhead member I4. The mandrel 2| is driven from thespindle shaft 26 through the chuck-C by means of a squared end formedthereon adapted to'extend through a rectangular aperture in the faceplate of the clutch. The bracket. "9| "is reciprocated to engage anddisengagerthe' squared end of the mandrelwith the chuck C by e l adouble acting fluid pressure actuated motor,

designated in general'by'the reference character J, the left handend ofwhicheis provided with cushioned, means for limiting the movement of thepiston, etc. toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, and taking the impactthereof. The supply of fluid. pressure/preferably air, to the motor J iscontroll'edby a foot'actuated pedal I25 connect ed tothe'motorthroughthe medium of pipes I'EI 755; and I:22'.' The valve. I:2Il. is.provided'with'a foot pedal I25 which is depressed to connect the pipeI2I to thefiuid pressure supply line 89 and the pipe I22 to exhaust andmove the bracket 9|, etc. to the right. When the pedal is released thedirection of the flow of fluid in the pipes-is reversed and the bracket9|, etc; moved to the left. The mandrel 2| is provided with a centrallongitudinal aperture through which air may be supplied .for thepurposeof coolingthe same.

The end of the, work W is rolled against the mandrel 2I' bya roller I49which is part of a' breakdown assembly designated in general by thereference character D. The roller I49 is rotatably supported on a pin Ifixed in a forked lever I5I pivotally supported on a pin I fixedin abracket I55 adjustably secured to a rectangular bar I51 supported bybrackets IBI. The rear end I of the lever I5I is circular in shape andengages a recess in a bearing member I66 supported in a counterboreformed in a piston member I61,

slidably keyed within a cylindrical or cup-shaped member I68, adjustablysecuredto the bar I51 along with the bracket I56. The end I65 of thelever I5I is continuously held in contact with. the bearing member I66by a spring member I16 supported by studs fixed inthe member I61 andextending over a pin I12 secured in 'The piston member I61 iscontinuously urged in an upward direction by a compression spring I13compressed between the member I51 and a disc I 14 supported on the upperend of an adjustthe-lever I5I.'

able tubular member I15 threaded into the bottom of the member I68 andlocked'in any adjust ed position by a screw 116. The upward movement ofthe piston member I61, and, in turn, the downward movement of the rollerI49are limited by a bolt I19, extending through the center of the memberI61, 'the head of which overlies a portion of the member I61 underneaththe bearing mem ber I66. Thelower end of thebolt I19 projects throughthe tubular member I15 and carries a nut I8I for adjusting the upperlimit of the member I61. 7

The tapered end of the work is pressed against the adjacent convolutionof the spring by a 'forked member I welded or otherwise secured to thelever I5I, in such a manner that the flat side thereof is in a planenormal to' the axis of the mandrel; The free ends. of the member I8Iproject on either side of the mandrel 2| and strip the spring therefromupon reciprocation of the bracket 9| in a rearward direction.

The breakdown assembly D is adjustable along the bar I51 as desired toaccommodate different lengths of springs. The spring I13 is adjusted'bymeans 'of the tubular member I15 to take care of stockof differentthickness, and the distance of the roller I49 from the axis of thespindle B is adjusted by the nut I8I to accommodate both mandrels ofdifferent diameters and different size stock. forces the free end of thework againstthe mandrel is illustrated as a roller I49, 9. nonqotatablemember may be substituted therefor if desired.

The motor 211s a reversible three-phase alter V nating current motor,provided with an electrically controlled'brake I applied to one end ofthe armature shaft, The control box I86, see Fig. 1,

houses the solenoid operated control switch for the motor 21, theoperating solenoid of which is While the breakdown 'member 'which' inseries'with a' foot'operated switch I88, the

operating pedal I 89 of which extends'underneath the foot pedal 35 andis operated simultaneously therewith. 'The operating solenoid for thebrake I85. is. also. inseries with the switch I88 and the;

construction is such that the brake is released when the pedal 88is-depressed.

A limit switch M is provided for always bringing the spindle B to restat a predetermined point in the rotation thereof. The limit switch Mcomprises a frame supported by a member I69 attached to the bracket 30,see Fig. 1, and an armature shaft I91 connected to the spindle shaft. Aplurality of insulator discs or commutators adjustably connected to theshaft 9? carry contact segments on the circumference thereof embracingabout ninety-five percent of the circumference. The contact segments areconnected in series and contact is made therewith by spring pressedbrushes slidably supported in insulating brush holders. The limit switchM is connected in shunt circuit with the switch I88 and maintains thecircuit to the operating solenoids of the brake I85 and the switch I86,after the pedal 88 is released until a predetermined point in therotation of the spindle B, thus always stopping the spindle in apredetermined position. The discs or commutators of the limit switch Mare adjustable on the shaft I9! for the purpose of permitting thespindle to be stopped at different positions. A manually operated switchin series with the limit switch permits the machine tobe placed underthe sole control of the switch I88.

The machine thus far described with the exception of the stock feedcarriage N is substantially a duplicate of that illustrated anddescribed in the above mentioned copending application, to whichreference is made for a more complete disclosure of the details ofconstruction of the machine.

According to the present invention the wire or stockW is fed to themachine by the stock feeding carriage N comprising a frame 209 slidablysupported on a square bar 2 I!) supported by brackets 2H and 212adjustably bolted or otherwise'secured to the member 3| and the uprightsI6, respectively. The frame 209 is reciprocated along the bar 2|0through the medium of a lead screw 2|3 rotatably supported in suitablehearings in the brackets 2H and 2I2 and driven at a predetermined speedby a feed carriage motor 2|4 through a pinion 2|5 secured to the motorshaft and in mesh with a gear 2 I6 keyed to one end of the lead screw 2l 3. A roller 2 I! supported on a pin 2|8 fixed in the frame 209 engageswithin a continuous thread 219 on the lead screw 2|3, and the carriage Nmoves backward and forward along the bar 2|0 upon continued rotation ofthe lead screw 2|3 in the same direction. A plurality of vertical andhorizontal rollers 220 and 22!, respectively, rotatably supported in theframe 209 in any convenient manner, guide the wire or stock .W in itspassage to the mandrel. The feed carriage motor 2M is supported on anextension of the bracket 2| and the entire feed assembly may be bodilyremoved from the machine in order to accommodate mandrels of varioussizes.

The feed carriage motor 2 is under the control of a commutator switch225, limit switches 226 and 221 adjustably supported on the bar 2|0, anda limit switch 228 supported on the overhead member l4. The commutator230 of the commutator switch 225 is operatively connected to the spindleB through the gears 23| and 232 secured to the commutator shaft 233 andthe chuck C, respectively. The construction is such which bridges thebrushes 236 supported in the switch 225 in any suitable manner. Thelimit switch 226 is of the two point break push button type and isconnected in one of the motor lead lines in shunt circuit with thecommutator switch 225. Thelimit switch 221. is of the same type asswitch 226 and is connected in the other'lead line of the motor in shuntcircuit with the two point make push button switch 228. The location ofthe various switches in the circuit'is shown in the wiring diagram, seeFig. 6.

It is believed that the operation of the machine will be apparent fromthe foregoing description thereof. With the machine at rest the work W,in the form of a predetermined length of rod stock tapered off at bothends, is inserted through the feed clutch N between the guide rollers220 and 22|, until the leading end thereof rests on the mandrelunderneath the clamp bar 22 with the flat face adjacent the face plateof the clutch. The foot pedal 88 is then depressed, causing the -motor Mto actuate the clamp bar 22 and clamp the work to the mandrel 2 I. Thepedal I89 is depressed simultaneously with the foot pedal 88, releasingthe brake I85 and actuating the motor 27. After the mandrel has turnedover a suflicient distance to cause the first convolution of the springto be close wound, according to the spec-' ifications, the contact bar235 bridges the brushes 236, closing the circuit to the feed carriagemotor 2|4, causing the feed carriage N to move to the right at apredetermined speed. Before the commutator switch 225 breaks itscontacts, the circuit to the motor 2 I4 is closed through the two pointbreak push button switch 226, the carriage N having moved away therefromin the interim.

As the end of the spring is approached the feed carriage N engages the'two point break push button switch 221, opening the circuit to themotor 2| 4 and stopping the carriage. The work which continues to bewound over the mandrel engages underneath the roller I49, which pressesthe end thereof against the mandrel and the stationary plate I engagesthe fiat. side of the work and forces the same into a plane normal tothe axis of rotation of the mandrel, gauging the length of the spring,etc. After the spring has been formed the foot pedals 88 and I89 arereleased and the spindle B comes to rest in a predetermined position,that is with the clamp bar 22 on top of the mandrel. The foot pedal I25is then depressed to actuate the motor J to move the slide 9| and themandrel 2I to the right, stripping the spring from the mandrel andallowing the same to drop through the bottom of the machine. When theslide 9| reaches the two point make push button switch 228 the circuitto motor 2! is again closed, returning the feed carriage N to its normalposition, whereupon the circuit to the motor is opened by the engagementof the carriage against the push button on the switch 226. When the footpedal I25 is released the slide 9| and the mandrel 2| are returned totheir initial position and the machine is ready for the next operation.

The machine illustrated is adapted to the making of right hand springs,but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the inventionis equally applicable to the manufacture of left hand springs, etc. Fromthe foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the inventionit will be apparent that I have produced a new and improved machine formaking springs, but I do not wish to be limited to the particularconstruction shown, which may be varied within .the scope of thisinvention, and particularly point out and claim as my invention the fol-V lowing:

Lin a spring coiling. machine of the character described, thecombination of a frame, a member adapted to have rod or Wire stockcoiled thereabout rotatably supported by said frame, means for rotatingsaid member, an electric motor for feeding the stock longitudinally ofsaid member,

and a second electricalmotor for actuating said means. V

2(In a spring coiling machine'of the character described, t'necombination of a frame, a member adapted to have rod or wire stockcoiled thereabout rotatably supported by said frame, an

electric motor for rotating said membena feed carriage slidablysupported by said frame for feeding thestock longitudinally of saidmandrel, and a second electric motor for reciprocating said carriage.

3. In a spring coiling machine of the character described, thecombination of a frame, a mandrel adapted to have rodor wire stockcoiled thereabout rotatably supported by said frame, an electric motorfor rotating said mandrel, a feed carriage for feeding the stock to saidmandrel, a

second electric motor for moving said feed carriage longitudinally ofsaid mandrel, and means rotating said lead screw.

" for automatically controlling the actuation of said motor.

4. In a spring coiling machine of the character. described, thecombination of ,a frame, a

mandrel rotatably supported by said frame, an electric motor forrotating said mandrel, a feed carriage slidably supported by said frame,a lead screw for moving said carriage longitudinally of saidmandrel, anda second electric motor for 5. In a, spring coiling machine of thecharacter described, the combination of a frame, a man- 'drel rotatablysupported by said frame, an electric motor for rotating said mandrel, afeed car-.- riage slidably supported by said frame, a lead screw forreciprocating said'carriage longitudinally of said mandrel, a secondelectric motor for rotating said lead screw, and means for automaticallycontrolling the actuation of 'said motor.

aspring coiling machine of the character described, the combination of aframe, a mandrel adapted to have rod or wire stock coiled thereaboutrotatably supported by said frame,

means for rotating said mandrel, and stationary means for engaging theend of the stock and squaring the end of the spring. V i

7. In a spring coiling machine of the character described, thecombination of a frame, a mandrel adapted to have rod .or wire stockcoiled thereabout rotatably supported by said frame,

means for rotating said mandrel, a roller for coiling the end of thestock about said mandrel, and a stationary member for engaging the stockand squaring the end of the spring.

8. In a spring coiling machine of the character described, thecombination of a frame, a mandrel adapted to have rod or wire stockcoiled there- 7 about rotatably supported by said frame, means forrotating said mandrel, a feed carriage slidably supported by said frameadapted to feed the stock longitudinally of said mandrel, and meanspermitting angular displacement of said carriage about said mandrel,

9. In a spring coiling machine of the character described, thecombination of a frame, a mandrel adapted to have spring stock coiledthereabout rotatably supported by said frame means for rotating saidmandrel, means for feeding the stock longitudinally of the mandrel andmeans including a stationary member encircling a part of said mandreladapted to engage the end of the stock for finishing the end of thecoil.

, JOSEPH GOGAN.

